TripAdvisor

Goa Travel Guide for First Time Visitors

If you are looking for beaches, food, fun and relaxed holidays, then Goa is an excellent place to visit first. Beautiful beaches, old churches, local markets, water sports and Goan taste of food are awaiting your presence. Travel People India will provide you with appropriate packages and tours for travelling to Goa in a hassle-free manner.

Goa Travel Cost Table

Travel Type 
 
Approx. cost per person 
 
Budget Trip 
 
₹5000-₹8000
 
Mid-Range Trip 
 
₹8000-₹15000
 
Luxury Trip 
 
₹15000+
 
Food Per Day 
 
₹500-₹1500
 
Local Transport 
 
₹500-₹1500
 


Prices are subject to change over the weekend, on holidays and during the peak season.

Distance Table

Place
 
Approx distance from Panaji 
 
Calangute Beach 
 
15km 
 
Baga Beach 
 
16km 
 
Anjuna Beach 
 
19km
 
Candolim Beach 
 
13km 
 
Old Goa 
 
11km 
 
Palolem Beach 
 
38km
 
Dabolim Airport 
 
30km
 


Best Time to Visit Goa

November to February is the best time to visit Goa. The weather is pleasant, making it good for beaches, sightseeing, shopping, and outdoor activities.


Here's a suggested itinerary for making your first trip to Goa more enjoyable.

Day 1: North Goa Beaches

Start your trip with Calangute Beach and Baga Beach. Have fun at the beach, eat local cuisine and chill out. Grab a barbecue stall on the evening to go for a picnic or stop by the beach market party later and unwind and sample the nightlife.

Day 2: Anjuna and Vagator

Explore Anjuna and Vagator beaches. Spend some time taking photos of the sea and going for a coffee at the surrounding cafes. The beautiful sunset spot as well can be seen at Chapora Fort.

Day 3: Old Goa and Panaji

Explore the renowned churches in old Goa. Next, visit and stroll down the colourful streets of Panaji. In the evening, one can also visit the area near the Mandovi river.

Day 4: South Goa

For a less hectic beach visit Palolem or Colva beaches. Sit on the beach and unwind before your Goa getaway comes to a conclusion.

For the first time visitors to the state, here are some important travel tips.

  • Book hotel in advance during peak season.
  • Pack sun protection, sunglasses and appropriate clothing.
  • Have some money for local shops and markets.
  • Only rent a scooter if you're okay on your own two feet.
  • Always wear a helmet when cycling.
  • Be sure to view the rates for the activities you're interested in before making a reservation.
  • Eat traditional Goan cuisine.
  • Do not litter the beach.
  • Bring a lightweight rain jacket to the monsoon.
  • Don't try to see everything in Goa in a day's time.


Goa Travel Packages and Related Itineraries

  • 4 Nights 5 Days Goa Holiday
  • Organize trips to the North and South Goa Regions.
  • Enjoy a seaside holiday at Goa beach on a package deal.
  • Goa Family Holiday Package
  • Goa Couple Trip
  • Goa Weekend Trip

These Goa holiday packages can help the first time travellers plan their Goa trip easily.

North Goa vs South Goa

The positions of North Goa and South Goa are shown.

Feature 
 
North Goa
 
South Goa 
 
Beaches
 
Busy and lively 
 
Quiet and peaceful 
 

Nightlife 
Excellent  Limited

Shopping 

Many options 

Fewer options 
 
Water sports 
 
Many choices 
 
Available 
 
Best for
 
Friends and  young travellers 
 
Families and couples 
 
Crowd
 
More
 
Less
 


People Also Ask Questions

Is Goa a good destination for first timers?

Yes. Goa is a place that is easily explored and offers delightful beaches, food, sightseeing, shopping and activities of all types.

So, how many days are sufficient for Goa?

One can make a steep 4"-5" day trip to Goa for first timers.

Is the North or the south Goa better?

North Goa has more beaches, superlative nightlife and shopping opportunities! Peace and relaxation and quiet beaches are more to the fore in South Goa.

Search-Friendly Summary

One of the best places in India to see once in a lifetime. One Goa holiday of 4-5 days will suffice to cover the tourist attractions as well as popular beaches, Old Goa, Panaji, local markets etc. South Goa is quiet and less populated, but North Goa is vibrant and boasts an abundance of nightlife. The peak tourist season is generally from November to February and this is my favorite time to visit Goa.

FAQs

1.On the first visit to Goa, what should I do?

Get to know popular beaches, visit Old Goa, taste  cuisine, and indulge in water sports and the local markets.

2. Is Goa a tourist-friendly country?

You can find both cheap and luxurious Goa hotels. The cost will be determined primarily by your hotel, meals, transportation and activities.

3. For those new to a beach, which beach is it?

Some of the popular destinations are Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, and Palolem.

4. How to move around in Goa?

Use taxis, rent scooters, rental cars or any other form of caret transport.

5. If you are unsure what to eat in Goa, here are some recommendations.

Attempt to eat Goan cuisine like fish curries, seafood, poi and other delicacies.

6. Just 3 days enough to go to Goa?

The three days are useful to cover the main attractions but the 4-5 days allow for more relaxation.


 

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